Senate Democrats Propose Gun Violence Bills

By Phil Gregory, WBGO News
Trenton. April 15, 2013

Democrats in the New Jersey Senate are proposing their own measures to reduce gun violence.

One new proposal calls for a photo ID that would allow for instant background checks on gun buyers.

Senate President Steve Sweeney says that bill could be a model for the nation.

“You could have a permit to have a gun and then have assaulted your wife and been arrested. We’ll pick that up and you couldn’t buy another gun because as soon as it goes on you record we’ll have it.”

Sweeney says the proposals also include bills to increase penalties for illegal gun sales.

“That deal with confiscation of vehicles for people that are trafficking guns illegally, straw purchasing, that gets at the point where these guns are being bought at and being used in the crimes that are happening in this state.”

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg has been pushing for tougher gun control measures and is satisfied with the proposals.

“I think that we’re going to be doing something that’s meaningful in terms of safety for our citizens which is the object of all of this, getting guns away from the bad guys. I think it’s a comprehensive package that we’re looking at.”

Governor Christie is expected to announce soon his own proposals in response to the recommendations made by his task force on guns and violence

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